“Wait, there’s something else I should tell you.”

I feel a sense of dread coming on. “What?”

“When I returned to the kitchens, the other Water woman assumed that I had been raped and began teasing me about being so stupid.”

“But you were not raped?” I ask to be sure we have not had a miscommunication.

“I wasn’t, but I… I attacked the other Water woman. I thought some of her crew would come to her aid, but they didn’t, and I left quite a few bruises on her face, and she had a bloody lip.”

I breathe deeply. “The other commander is not going to like that, but she deserved it. And it speaks volumes no one came to her aid. What made you stop?”

Volunteer 4711 hangs her head. “The first officer’s valet pulled me off of her,” she admits.

I run a hand through her long brown hair and then say, “Well, you had good reason.”

“So maybe it’s best to leave all of this. Don’t mention it to anyone,” she suggests.

“You do not want your attacker to be brought to justice because you struck the Water woman who wronged you, to begin with?”

“I do not want to risk this agreement over this. I was stupid,” she says. “You warned me.”

“I did warn you,” I say. “But that does not mean you do not deserve justice. Also, the other commander will seek it anyway, so there’s no point hiding anything. You go to sickbay and make a record of everything that happened. You will be punished for striking her, but she will also be punished for deliberately tricking you into danger.”

“And the male attacker,” she asks.

“Possibly put to death, it depends on various things I do not want to discuss now. Go to sickbay,” I command her.

“But your clothing,” she counters.

“Go.”

I watch her walk out and have to stop myself from going with her. I want every bruise detailed, as whoever that male is who attacked her will feel the full extent of my fleet’s law.

CHAPTER 21

VOLUNTEER 4711

I walk into sickbay. It’s dark except for some lights. I walk to the back, and the junior doctor is there. He’s surprised to see me.

“Let me wake the doctor.”

“It’s not necessary,” I say.

“He will want to see you himself. Please wait a minute.”

I agree and wait in the semi-dark space. I’m so tired I want to go to sleep.

“Volunteer 4711,” the doctor says, buttoning his uniform as he comes out. “Oh,” he says when he sees my face. “Let’s come over here. I think you remember the medical bed. Please,” he gestures for me to lie down, and he turns it on with a wave of his hand.

He doesn’t ask me any questions as a purple light scans me. He makes some noises to himself, and I assume he’s just thinking.

“You have only got some bruising and small cuts. I’m healing all of it now. Just relax. Thankfully, you are a strong female.”